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Water flow, ecological dynamics, and management in the lower Limpopo Valley: a long‐term view
Author(s) -
Ekblom A.,
Gillson L.,
Notelid M.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
wiley interdisciplinary reviews: water
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.413
H-Index - 24
ISSN - 2049-1948
DOI - 10.1002/wat2.1228
Subject(s) - climate change , context (archaeology) , environmental science , adaptive management , temporal scales , water resources , environmental resource management , term (time) , ecosystem , streamflow , vegetation (pathology) , water flow , geography , hydrology (agriculture) , ecology , drainage basin , geology , geotechnical engineering , archaeology , quantum mechanics , pathology , environmental engineering , biology , medicine , physics , cartography
In this contribution, we review long‐term (millennial–decadal scale) river‐flow changes, climate interactions, and interlinkage with vegetation dynamics, as well as society and policy, focusing on the lower Limpopo Valley (from the South African border through Mozambique). Drawing on paleoecological data, we address the valley's potential for defining critical ecological thresholds and managing an adaptive ecological landscape, by focusing on the dynamic relationship between different drivers (fire, hydrology, and grass/tree relationships). We briefly review the long‐term interactions between water flow, climate variability, and society using archeological records and written sources. Lastly, we analyze the social and political context of water management, focusing on the last 100 years and transboundary water management. We also discuss planning and mitigation in relation to climate change and rainfall extremes that are projected to increase. It is stressed that forward‐thinking policies must heed long‐term climate variability, hydrology and biological and social impact and to plan and mitigate for environmental events. The discussion also brings to the fore the importance of an adaptable and equitable strategy in cross‐border water sharing. WIREs Water 2017, 4:e1228. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1228 This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Planning Water Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on Ecosystems Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change